GOARt Galleries In South East London

Whether you like your art modern and mind-blowing or old
and beautiful you’ll find a large range of excellent
galleries in South East London.

If you’re starting out on the art trail, head to The Dulwich Picture Gallery [map],
Gallery Road. This gallery is home to an outstanding collection
of 17th century Old Masters and includes famous
works from Rembrandt, Murillo, Rubens, Watteau and Gainsborough, as well as a number
of critically-acclaimed exhibitions that take place throughout
the year. The gallery is set in the beautiful village
of Dulwich, which itself has a history that dates back
to the 18th Century, and still has many original buildings
from this period.

Alternatively, go for something new with a visit to Gallery
Fresh [map],
Greenwich High Road, Greenwich, which, as the name suggests,
brings the very best in innovative and contemporary
art to the masses of Greenwich and beyond. You can
enjoy some interestingly themed exhibitions from a range
of artists in every media form. Solo shows are also held
throughout the year.

However you can’t visit this part of London without
paying a visit to the award-winning Tate Modern [map],
Bankside. This world-famous gallery opened to the public
in May 2000 and has since gained a reputation for its
commitment to artists and designers. See a range of inspirational
exhibitions from famous names such as Edward Hopper, Elmgreen
and Dragset and Emma Kay.

Another famous gallery is just a few metres away. The Saatchi Gallery [map],
Belvedere Road, is the Tate’s biggest rival and
was established by Charles Saatchi to provide tourists
with an alternative that concentrates on big-name installations
and moving art displays.

Both the Tate Modern and The Saatchi Gallery are essential
stop points for any art lover looking to explore more
unusual areas, but be prepared to queue if you’re
thinking of visiting on bank holidays or at the weekend.

If everybody's talking about it must be worth a try, and
people have been talking about The Hayward Gallery [map] since its birth in 1968. Located at Belvedere Road, this
gallery has played host to some of the most influential
exhibitions in Europe and continues to be at the forefront
of innovative art. The Hayward offers a range of contemporary and historical art as well as touring exhibitions
from across the world.

For something out of the ordinary, you can take in an
experience in the gentle world of watercolour at The
Bankside Gallery [map],
Hopton Street, Southwark. This gallery is home to the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society
of Painter-Printmakers so visitors can expect an eclectic
range of exhibitions from two of the oldest societies
of their kind in the world. Prominent artists in these
fields regularly hold talks here and visitors can take
advantage of some interesting tours, including the opportunity
to get involved in some practical experience.

This part of London is also home to one of the more unique
London galleries that focuses on transparent art, The
Glass Art Gallery [map],
The Leathermarket, Weston Street. Here you'll find a range
of exquisite stained glass and sculptures as well as ornaments
from leading artists in the field and you can pick up
a unique gift in the Glass Art Gallery shop.

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